Sticky Toffee Pudding

This is actually a cake, not a pudding. Its a classic British dessert and is sweet, sticky and really moist.
Ingredients:
7 oz pitted dates, finely chopped
1 tsp baking soda
2/3 cup water
3/4 cup butter
1 cup golden superfine sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup self-rising flour
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 Tbsp butter, cut into chunks
1/4 cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350. Put the dates, baking soda and water in a saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes until the dates are softened. Set aside.

Beat butter with golden superfine sugar (if you can't find, mix 1/2 superfine sugar, 1/2 granulated brown sugar) until light and fluffy. then beat in the eggs, vanilla, and flour, then the dates and their cooking liquid. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan or baking dish with a little butter and add the mixture. Cook for about 35 minutes, checking after 20 minutes that it isn't burning. It is ready when a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Meanwhile, make the sauce: put the brown sugar, butter and cream into a saucepan and stir over low heat until fully mixed. Increase the heat and boil for 1 minute to thicken. Remove from heat and keep warm. To serve, place a piece of sponge on each of 4 plates and top with the sauce.
* If you are not serving right away, keep sauce covered tightly and stir before drizzling over cake.